Empty tanker hits Jefferson Parish water facilities on Mississippi river

Nordbay, a 62,000-ton oil tanker, hit two facilities along the bank of Mississippi river on Feb. 2, Tuesday, the U.S. Coast Guard said. The empty oil tanker crashed into two Jefferson Parish water department facilities, causing minor damage to the ship but did not spill any pollution.

The Coast Guard is still examining the incident Wednesday, The Times-Picayune New Orleans reported. The tanker did not cause any oil spill, but the ship's damage included a small hole in the hull, which leaked ballast water, according to Coast Guard spokeswoman Petty Officer Laura Ratliff.

The water facilities did not obtain any visible damage as of inspection on Tuesday night, according to Jefferson Councilman Chris Roberts. Official reports also said the incident caused no pollution since ballast water can be either fresh or salt water. Ballast water is used by ships to stabilize the vessel.

Nordbay, a Cyprus-flagged ship, measures 249 meters long and has a deadweight of 116,000 tons, the gCaptain reported. The tanker is under the Reederei Nord Group.

The ship hit the water intakes at mile marker 104, then hit the Gov. Nicholls Street Wharf while being directed down the river, ABC News also reported. It was supposed to head to the New Orleans General Anchorage.

Reports said the tanker blew its horns for danger warning when it headed to the Piety Street Wharf. More than three tugboats responded to the call. The Coast Guard said that the tanker was finally corralled and anchored at mile marker 97.2, upriver from the Crescent City Connection.

In January, the wharf has been hit by a towboat and a barge. The park, currently closed to visitors, is in the process of being repaired. 

Meanwhile, Harbor Police were set to examine the Jefferson Parish water facilities in the next few days. Although no damage was reported initially, they will thoroughly check if any damages were sustained, according to Matt Gresham, spokesman for the Port of New Orleans.

Tags

Mississippi River, Jefferson Parish water department, Oil Spill, Gov. Nicholls Street Wharf, Piety Street Wharf, Nordbay, Coast Guard

© 2023 Lawyer Herald All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.